A pyroelectric coefficient enhanced 2-2 connectivity laminate composites' energy
harvesting credentials have been assessed. The use of the electrothermal
coupling factor for laminate composites (k(Lam)(2)) for such an assessment has
been appraised while the experimental samples are evaluated to show a
significant improvement in their performance via pyroelectric coefficient
enhancement, demonstrative of their great potential in energy harvesting
applications. A lead zirconate titanate and stainless steel laminate composite
with an 88% pyroelectric coefficient enhancement is shown to increase its
maximum power density, efficiency, and electrothermal coupling factor by 254%,
while other material pairings have also been evaluated to exhibit great promise
in this application owing to a large pyroelectric coefficient enhancement
accompanied by a reduction in total thermal mass.